Can I install XP with any disc as long as I use a cd key that hasn't been used?

V

veryhumid

Member

​

Joined

Apr 22, 2004

Location

New Hampshire

• Jun 11, 2006

• #1

I may have mixed up my two copies of windows xp. One is SP1, one is SP2. However I know which key has been used and which hasn't. Can I install off the sp2 disc and use the remaining key, even if it didn't originally go with the sp2 disc?

thanks!

 

jivetrky

Member

​

Joined

Oct 27, 2005

Location

Lake Village, IN 46349

• Jun 11, 2006

• #2

I'm sure it should be fine.....you can upgrade your non SP2 to SP2 for free...so I don't see why it'd be a problem

 

E

ErikD

Member

​

Joined

May 6, 2004

Location

NYC

• Jun 11, 2006

• #3

The keys won't work with the wrong discs. SP2 and SP1 have a different type of key, and if you pick the wrong one then the install will stop you saying invalid key. You can then just enter your other key (hopefully the one that hasn't been used).

This is before the activation part, and would require that you just stop the install and start from scratch. Not that bad as it is right after the first reboot that it would happen anyway.

 

OP

V

veryhumid

Member

​

Joined

Apr 22, 2004

Location

New Hampshire

• Jun 11, 2006

• Thread Starter
• #4

erik thanks for the tips, but i'm a little confused. Can I use my sp1 key (unused) with a sp2 disc or not?

 

E

ErikD

Member

​

Joined

May 6, 2004

Location

NYC

• Jun 11, 2006

• #5

Nope, the CD key is matched to the type of disk it was shipped with. SO a CD with SP1 retail will work with any SP1 retail key, but never an SP2 key.

When you enter the CD as a part of the installation it will let you know if it is the correct key or not.

 

OP

V

veryhumid

Member

​

Joined

Apr 22, 2004

Location

New Hampshire

• Jun 11, 2006

• Thread Starter
• #6

thanks erik I'll just have to do the sp2 update after I install it from the sp1 key and disc.

 

FeuerFrei

Member

​

Joined

Jan 27, 2006

• Jun 11, 2006

• #7

BUZZZZ! WRONG!

Any XP key will work with any cd IF they're the same type (OEM/retail/VLK) no matter the updates, so go with the sp2 one

 

OP

V

veryhumid

Member

​

Joined

Apr 22, 2004

Location

New Hampshire

• Jun 11, 2006

• Thread Starter
• #8

haha, okay I like that response even more. Save me from downloading so many updates. And yup, they are both retail.

 

DvBoard

Member

​

Joined

Dec 6, 2005

Location

Mars

• Jun 11, 2006

• #9

Can't install a SP2 CD with a SP1 key or vice-versa. Everyone i've talked to that has tried, has failed.

 

E

ErikD

Member

​

Joined

May 6, 2004

Location

NYC

• Jun 11, 2006

• #10

Yeah, I have tried it too and it never worked for me. I have an OEM XP SP2 CD, and a laptop with an OEM COA. Couldn't install no matter what.

 

FeuerFrei

Member

​

Joined

Jan 27, 2006

• Jun 12, 2006

• #11

It always worked for me, and I installed 100+ XP comps

The only keys that don't work with SP2 are the blacklisted ones...

 

hotrod469

Member

​

Joined

Aug 28, 2005

Location

Sacramento CA

• Jun 13, 2006

• #12

It worked for me once (both XP home) , but it did not work the 2nd (both XP pro sp2)......dam you M$